Upholstery Cleaning – Maintenance and Stain Removal

No doubt you first purchased your sofa it was bright and welcoming. You loved the way it fit in with all the accent pieces in your family room. As time passed the colour changed, because it was getting a lot of wear. This was caused not only by its frequent use, but a build-up of dust and other microorganisms that cling to the material and eventually get hidden deep inside the fibres. This process will not only cause the beauty of your couch to fade but make it ugly with dust.

Yes, it is impossible for your couch to look the same way forever, but you can help to maintain the appearance with regular upholstery cleaning. You can take a DIY approach or hire a professional to clean the upholstery for you. Whatever you decide, here are a few things you need to know:

Vacuum Cleaning

Vacuum cleaning is the first stage of upholstery cleaning. This is something you can do yourself on a regular basis. Make sure to vacuum all the cracks and between and under all the cushions. This is important because as time goes by a layer of dust will settle on your couch, this layer is not only dust, but hair from yourself and pets as well as other microorganisms. This layer will cause the colour to appear faded. If you clean with a vacuum you can remove that layer without having to use water, which would have just allow the dirt to go deeper into the fabric.

Stains and Spots

Your Upholstery will be the surface on which many accidental spills happen, especially if you have kids and pets. That is why knowing how to remove spots is important, because you have to remove the spot without damaging the upholstery.

A fresh spot is easier to clean than one that has been dried for hour or days. As soon as there is a spill you need to get a clean white cloth and blot the spot so that you can absorb the liquid before it gets absorbed by the fabric. Do not rub the spot, because you may cause it to spread, and that will only make your problem bigger. You may also force the stain deeper into the upholstery, making it harder and maybe impossible to remove. When you blot you will maintain the size and the location of the stain so that even if you can’t clean it, it will be easier for a professional to clean.

Which Cleaning Agent is Best for Cleaning Upholstery

Selecting a cleaning agent depends on the type of fabric that your upholstery is made of. This means that you have to know what the fabric is. A wrong guess may cause irreparable damage. They type of fabric will not only decide the best cleaning product, but the cleaning method to be used.

Professional cleaners know what products to use on different fabrics, because they have the experience. If your upholstery furniture came with an information tag, now might be the time to read it so you know what to do and what not to do.

Stain Removal

There are many types of stains. These are usually determined by the substance they are made from and this will determine what the best stain removal product is. So if you are cleaning yourself you should make sure you know what product to use and if you hire a professional be sure to tell them what the stain was from.

What to Do and Not to Do

Do not put your upholstery in direct sunlight as this may cause the colour to fade, decreasing the overall appeal.

Candle wax and heat is bad for your upholstery so keep it as far away from it as you can.

There are protective sprays that you can use to maintain the appearance and the quality of your upholstery. This will also protect it form stains that can be caused by the occasional spills.

Using water to clean will cause the upholstery to remain damp for a while and this may result in the growth of mildew and mould.

Upholstery must be dried properly after it is cleaned. If you cant put it in an open space, you should open windows to allow it to get enough ventilation to hasten the drying process.

Final Tips

You should have a regular schedule for your upholstery cleaning. Vacuuming weekly will do a good enough job to remove the dust that you can see, but there is a lot more to be done to ensure that it is thoroughly cleaned. There is dirt and grime deep within the upholstery that has been gathering since the day you brought home your furniture and unwrapped it. By getting a professional clean done twice a year you will not only ensure that it is clean but prolong its use and its appearance.

There are a lot of eco friendly products that can be used to clean your upholstery. Made from organic materials, they are not as harsh as chemicals that release toxic fumes.

When you decide to clean your upholstery make sure that you take the time to think about the materials and tools you will need if you chose DIY. If you want to hire a professional upholstery cleaner, ensure that they too, are using best practices to keep your upholstery clean and beautiful!

Jack Lewis

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